Badung, Bali, Oct. 10 -- Deputy Minister of Population and Family Development Isyana Bagoes Oka reiterated the urgency for kitchens serving the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program to strengthen compliance with government standard operating procedures (SOP).

She stressed the importance of food safety following recent reports of health problems experienced by residents after receiving MBG menus in several regions, an issue she attributed to negligence in implementing the SOP.

"What needs to be done in the event of a shortfall is to evaluate the implementation of the SOP, not blame the MBG program per se. It is crucial to address errors and pursue improvements," Oka stated in Nusa Dua, Badung District, Bali, on Friday.

The deputy minister...